Silence is golden; but sometimes it’s just yellow . . .
“I’m a woman sitting here, with all my words intact,
like a basket of green fruit. “
Rosario Castellanos, “Silence Near an Ancient Stone”
1952
The other day I encountered an ‘ancient male mindset…. a belief system set in stone’ .
I have to admit it ranckled me at first. His arrogance pointed to a proud and controlling spirit. I felt immediate compassion for his wife.
People of both genders who know the truth have no business allowing the powers of darkness to silence them on any point that matters. Silence is not a thing we make; it is something into which we’re sometimes forced to enter. . . having so much to say but nary a moment to say it in.
“The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others
and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, because
when we would want to speak,
the policy is to be silent,
the divine floods of light and life flow no longer into our souls. “
Elizabeth Cady Stanton in her speech to the
National American Woman Sufferage Assoc. (1890)
It was a wonderful day, when Jesus took the gag-order of vain traditions off the female gender by letting them announce the truth of the resurrection. From that traditional standpoint, was brother Paul speaking from his jewish roots when he forbade women to speak in the church? Methinks so. And the male gender in certain circles today still want to make it church policy.
Ecclesiastes is right; there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. However, that is speaking of a silence of personal choice. Silence can be golden when you desire God’s Presence. It closes down the racket made by an urgent schedule. Sitting in silence in a quiet place gives God a chance to bless you, no matter your gender.
I encourage my sisters to reveal the dark secrets they have carried since childhood.
Step out of the code of silence religion has placed on you, and begin to open your mouth and declare your personhood ; acknowledging who Christ is in you and who you are in Him. Your own tongue can set you free! With Christ you can do all things.
Great blog entry Greta! Thanks for speaking up for, and on behalf of women!